Following the gruesome attack on a mining site at Atoso community in Fann District of Gwol, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, where 12 persons were killed on December 16, 2025, a mass burial was held for the victims. The incident has left the community in deep sorrow and shock.
The mass burial brought together grieving families, community leaders, Clergy Men and sympathisers to mourn the dead. It also highlighted growing concerns over insecurity and the urgent need to protect lives in vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the funeral, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Kanang Gwom, expressed deep sorrow over the killings. He assured the families that the pain of losing innocent lives deeply saddens the state government.
He encouraged the bereaved to take comfort in God, stressing that every life lost in such a manner is a serious failure that must not be taken lightly. He noted with pain that many of the victims were young people, leaving families, widows, and children in grief.
The governor commiserated with the families and the Atoso community, assuring them that government is doing its best to protect lives and property. He prayed for God’s comfort, justice, and peace, urging the people to remain strong and hopeful despite the tragedy.
Barr. Solomon Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, condemned the killings and described them as acts of terror that have pushed the people to the wall. He said the community can no longer tolerate the violence.
He called on the President, the Plateau State Governor, local authorities, and security agencies to act urgently. He warned that continued silence by government encourages terrorism and endangers lives. He urged the people to put aside political differences, unite, and rise peacefully to tell the world the truth.
During the funeral, the preacher, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, Chairman PCC Ropp, Barkin Ladi LGA, read from the book of Revelation 6:9 and declared that the graves would speak to the world. He stressed that real human lives were being buried, not statistics.
He lamented what he described as official denial of genocide, warning that silence only emboldens attackers. Rev. Dachomo vowed to keep speaking the truth without fear, expressing confidence that justice will prevail through God’s power.
Also Speaking, The Secretary of CAN, Plateau State chapter, Pastor Simon Julius Arabo urged believers to remain vigilant, protecting their land and lives while standing firm in their faith. He emphasized that the attacks target Christianity, and communities must watch carefully and defend themselves.
The Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi LGA, Hon. Stephen Pwajok, sympathized with the families of the victims and urged the youth to avoid mining at night for their safety. He assured the community that security agencies and the government are working to prevent further attacks.
The Gwom Rwei of Fann District, Da Iliya Dafwei, called for protection and urged the youth to remain calm and surrender to the will of God despite repeated attacks. He appealed for collective cooperation to safeguard lives and property and emphasized the need for vigilance.
Among those killed in the attack are Joseph Jacob Dung (45), Luka Gambo Fom (34), Alex Sunday Pulle (35), Israel Samson (25), Chuwang Job (37), Albert Dung Chollom (34), Davou Rwang (50), Peter Silas (33), Weng Yohanna (15), Yunisent Samuel (17), Bulus Pam Bot, and Dung Yakubu Dung (30), leaving families and the community in deep mourning.
Rev. Joshua Nyam, speaking on behalf of the families of the deceased and as the father of late Weng Yohanna, decried the ongoing killings as genocide. He warned against using the blood of innocent people for political gain.
He vowed that the families and the church would continue to speak out boldly, using every platform, including the pulpit, to confront the violence and demand an end to the killings.
